UNIVERSITY   OF   CALIFORNIA 

COLLEGE   OF   AGRICULTURE 

AGRICULTURAL   EXPERIMENT   STATION 

BERKELEY,  CALIFORNIA 


A  STUDY  OF  VARIOUS  RATIONS 

FOR  FINISHING  RANGE  CALVES 

AS  BABY  BEEVES 


H.  R.  GUILBERT 


BULLETIN  418 

February,  1927 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  PRINTING  OFFICE 

BERKELEY,  CALIFORNIA 

1927 


A  STUDY  OF  VARIOUS   RATIONS   FOR   FINISHING 
RANGE  CALVES  AS  BABY  BEEVES 

H.  R.  GUILBERT* 


Finishing  beef  cattle  for  market  in  the  feed  lots  is  a  procedure 
which  has  not  been  very  extensively  practiced  in  this  state.  This 
Experiment  Station  has  not,  therefore,  carried  out  feeding  experiments, 
as  has  been  done  for  many  years  in  the  middle  western  and  eastern 
states.  However,  feeding  of  cattle  has  been  carried  on  particularly 
with  by-products  of  sugar  beets  and  cottonseed  in  the  southern  part 
of  the  state  and  with  alfalfa  hay  in  the  northern  part  of  the  state. 
A  number  of  feeders  in  the  valleys  are  using  barley  or  other  home- 
grown concentrates  with  hay,  and  a  few  are  fattening  cattle  on  silage 
and  alfalfa  hay.  Extensive  feeding  plants  are  being  established  in 
the  San  Joaquin  Valley. 

Additional  by-products  are  becoming  available,  some  of  which, 
such  as  raisin,  orange,  and  pineapple  pulp,  cannot  be  obtained  readily 
in  other  parts  of  the  country.  Molasses  and  coconut  meal  are  avail- 
able at  lower  prices  in  California  than  in  most  sections  of  the  country. 

During  the  past  two  years  questions  have  often  been  asked  of  the 
Animal  Husbandry  Division  of  this  station  concerning  the  practica- 
bility of  feeding  baby  beef.  To  answer  these  inquiries,  an  experiment 
was  planned,  the  results  of  which  would  furnish  a  basis  of  comparison 
of  the  efficiency  of  different  combinations  of  feeds  common  in  Califor- 
nia. It  was  expected  that  these  results  might  furnish  answers  to  the 
following  questions : 

1.  Which  practice  will  produce  the  greatest  number  of  pounds  of 
beef  per  acre — feeding  alfalfa  hay  and  silage  with  a  full  grain  ration, 
or  feeding  alfalfa  hay  (no  silage)  and  a  full  grain  ration,  to  fattening 
calves  ? 

2.  Does  it  pay  to  add  cottonseed  meal  to  a  ration  of  alfalfa  hay 
and  rolled  barley? 

3.  Can  baby  beeves  be  finished  on  a  ration  of  corn  silage,  alfalfa 
hay,  and  cold-pressed  cottonseed  cake? 

4.  Can  coconut  meal,  which,  in  the  past,  has  been  somewhat  cheaper 
than  barley,  be  substituted  for  one-half  the  rolled  barley  in  rations 
for  fattening  baby  beef? 

5.  What  is  the  value  of  raisin  pulp  for  fattening  baby  beef? 

*  Junior  Animal  Husbandman  in  the  Experiment  Station. 


UNIVERSITY  OF   CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT   STATION 


FEEDING   PLAN 

Seventy-four  head  of  good  quality  Shorthorn  calves  were  pur- 
chased on  September  23,  1925,  at  the  San  Julian  Ranch  in  Santa  Bar- 
bara County.  They  were  taken  directly  from  their  mothers  and 
shipped  to  Davis. 

The  average  weight  of  the  calves  at  the  ranch  was  428  pounds. 
The  weight  upon  arrival  in  Davis  after  74  hours  in  transit,  including 
unloading  for  feed  and  water  in  San  Jose,  was  400  pounds,  or  a  shrink- 
age of  28  pounds  a  head.  The  calves  were  rested  in  the  feed  lots  a 
day,  dehorned,  treated  for  ringworm,  and  vaccinated  against  black- 
leg. Twelve  days  were  allowed  for  them  to  become  accustomed  to 
their  new  surroundings  before  the  experiment  began.  During  this 
time  all  the  alfalfa  hay  they  would  eat  and  approximately  one  pound 
of  barley  to  the  head  daily  were  fed  in  order  that  the  calves  might  be 
accustomed  to  eating  grain  when  the  experiment  began. 

Six  lots  of  12  head  each  were  selected  on  the  basis  of  weight  and 
individuality.  Each  group  had  access  to  a  shed  24  by  32  feet  and  an 
open  paved  lot  24  by  40  feet. 

The  daily  ration  for  each  steer  in  the  different  lots  was  as  follows : 

Lot.  1.  Corn  silage,  full  fed;  alfalfa  hay,  3  pounds;  rolled  barley,  full  fed; 
cottonseed  meal,  1  pound. 

Lot  2.  Corn  silage,  full  fed;  alfalfa  hay,  3  pounds;  rolled  barley  and  coco- 
nut meal,  equal  parts,  full  fed. 

Lot  3.  Corn  silage,  full  fed;  alfalfa  hay,  3  pounds;  raisin  pulp,  full  fed; 
cottonseed  meal,  2  pounds. 

Lot  4.  Corn  silage,  full  fed;  alfalfa  hay,  3  pounds;  cold-pressed  cottonseed 
cake,  limited  ration  until  the  last  60  days,  when  it  was  full  fed. 

Lot  5.     Alfalfa  hay,  full  fed;  rolled  barley,  full  fed. 

Lot  6.  Alfalfa  hay,  full  fed;  rolled  barley,  full  fed;  cottonseed  meal,  1 
pound. 

Method  of  Feeding. — The  grain  was  fed  first;  it  was  followed  by 
silage  and  then  alfalfa  hay.  Cottonseed  meal  was  fed  at  first  on  the 
silage,  as  it  was  thought  that  in  this  way  the  amount  eaten  would  be 
more  equally  distributed  among  the  calves,  because  all  ate  silage 
readily,  while  some  did  not  eat  the  concentrate  well  during  the  first 
two  weeks.  It  was  found  later  that  they  ate  the  raisin  pulp  much 
more  readily  when  it  was  mixed  with  cottonseed  meal.  Thereafter 
in  all  lots  the  cottonseed  meal  was  fed  with  the  grain  rather  than  on 
the  silage. 

All  lots  had  access  to  salt  and  water  at  all  times. 


BUL.  418]    RATIONS  FOR  FINISHING  RANGE  CALVES  AS  BABY  BEEVES 


The  Feeds. — The  corn  silage  was  of  good  quality,  and  contained 
approximately  70  per  cent  moisture.  The  average  yield  was  15.55 
tons  to  the  acre,  and  although  there  was  fair  yield  of  grain,  the  per- 
centage of  grain  to  roughage  was  low. 

The  alfalfa  hay  was  fourth  cutting,  bright  green  in  color,  very 
leafy,  and  of  excellent  quality.  All  the  hay  came  from  one  field,  a 
fact  which  assured  uniform  quality  for  all  lots.  The  supply  of  this 
hay  was  exhausted  three  weeks  before  the  close  of  the  experimental 
period  and  a  coarser  hay  was  fed  thereafter. 

The  barley  was  average  California  feed  barley  and  was  steam 
rolled. 

TABLE  1 

Chemical  Analysis  of  Feeds 
(Figures  are  expressed  in  percentages.) 


Feeds 


Coconut  meal 

Cold  pressed  cottonseed  cake 

Cottonseed  meal 

Raisin  pulp 

Rolled  barley 

Alfalfa  hay 

Corn  silage 


Moisture 


8.20 
6.72 
6.52 
9.73 

10.10 
7.63 

71.58 


Crude 
protein 


22.80 

26.55 

43.80 

9.68 

9.36 

19.18 

2.07 


Ether 
extract 


9.10 
6.17 
11.62 
6.88 
2.83 
2.25 
1.04 


Nitrogen- 
free 

extract 


44.59 
32.14 
26. 19 
51.11 
68.40 
30.62 
15.36 


Crude 
fiber 


9.26 
23.40 

4.81 
15.95 

6.54 
30.50 

7.80 


Ash 


6.05 
5.02 
7.06 
6.55 
2.67 
9.82 
2.15 


The  coconut  meal  had  a  guaranteed  analysis  of  crude  protein  not 
less  than  20  per  cent,  crude  fat  not  less  than  9  per  cent,  crude  fiber 
not  more  than  13  per  cent,  ash  not  more  than  7  per  cent. 

The  cottonseed  meal  was  choice  grade,  containing  not  less  than 
40  per  cent  protein.  The  cold-pressed  cake  carried  a  guaranteed 
analysis  of  riot  less  than  28  per  cent  protein,  and  not  over  19  per  cent 
crude  fiber,  not  less  th#n  8  per  cent  fat,  and  not  more  than  5  per  cent 
ash. 

Raisin  pulp,  according  to  information  received  from  the  Sun  Maid 
Raisin  Growers'  Association,  Fresno,  California,  consists  of  a  mixture 
of  dry  battery  pulp,  dry  seeder  waste,  and  stemmer  waste.  The  seeder 
waste  contains  a  few  raisins,  and  stemmer  waste  contains  some  fruit 
adhering  to  the  stems.  The  dry  battery  pulp  is  the  residue  resulting 
from  the  extraction  of  syrup,  and  consists  of  the  raisins  after  most  of 
the  sugar  has  been  extracted.  Probably  more  than  95  per  cent  of 
the  sugar  in  these  raisins  is  dissolved  in  the  battery,  but  the  gums, 
proteins,  fat,  starches,  and  fiber  remain  as  pulp.     After  leaving  the 


b  UNIVERSITY  OF   CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT   STATION 

battery,  this  is  passed  through  a  screw  press,  which  reduces  the  moist- 
ure to  approximately  60  per  cent.  The  pressed  pulp  is  then  passed 
through  a  rotary  dryer,  which  reduces  the  moisture  to  about  8  per 
cent.  The  amount  of  digestible  nutrients  in  each  100  pounds  as 
determined  by  a  digestion  experiment  is  given  on  a  later  page.  The 
chemical  composition  of  the  feeds  used  is  given  in  table  1. 

Method  of  Starting  on  Feed. — Lot  1  may  be  taken  as  an  example 
of  the  method  of  starting  on  feed  and  the  changes  in  the  ration 
throughout  the  period.  At  the  beginning,  3  pounds  of  alfalfa  hay  and 
10  pounds  of  corn  silage,  y2  pound  of  cottonseed  meal,  and  1  pound 
of  barley  were  fed.  The  calves  ate  the  barley  readily,  since  they  had 
been  getting  some  during  the  preliminary  period.  The  second  day  the 
amount  of  barley  was  increased  to  2  pounds  for  each  head.  This 
amount  was  fed  for  the  two  days  following,  when  it  was  increased 
to  3  pounds.  Meanwhile,  the  cottonseed  meal  was  increased  to  1 
pound  and  the  silage  to  12  pounds.  After  three  more  days,  or  on  the 
eighth  day,  barley  was  increased  to  4  pounds.  Two  or  three  days 
later,  some  animals  began  to  scour  and  go  off  feed.  The  entire  lot 
was  allowed  to  miss  one  feeding ;  at  the  next  the  barley  for  each  head 
was  cut  to  2  pounds.  After  a  few  days,  it  was  increased  %  pound  at 
intervals  of  five  or  six  days,  depending  upon  the  appetite.  At  the 
end  of  the  first  thirty  days,  the  steers  were  eating  4%  pounds  of 
barley  and  1  pound  of  cottonseed  meal,  3  pounds  of  hay  and  10  pounds 
of  silage.  No  difficulty  with  scouring  was  experienced  in  the  other 
lots ;  and  at  the  end  of  thirty  days  each  steer  was  eating  5  pounds  of 
barley. 

The  grain  was  gradually  increased  during  each  period  according 
to  the  appetite  of  the  calves.  The  rations  for  lot  1  at  the  end  of  each 
thirty-day  period  are  shown  in  table  2. 


TABLE  2 

The  Average  Daily  Eation  for  Lot  1  at  the  End  of  Each  Thirty-Day  Period 

(Expressed  in  pounds  to  the  head.) 


Period* 

Corn 
silage 

Alfalfa 
hay 

Rolled 
barley 

Cottonseed 
meal 

1 

10 

11 

12 
12 
13 
13 
13 

3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 

4.5 
6.0 
8.5 
10.0 
12.5 
12.5 
13.0 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

*  Each  period  was  of  30  days  duration. 


BUL.  418]         RATIONS  FOR  FINISHING  RANGE  CALVES  AS  BABY  BEEVES  7 

The  amount  of  grain  was  steadily  increased,  while  the  amount  of 
roughage  remained  nearly  constant.  As  the  feeding  period  progresses, 
more  of  the  gain  is  fat,  which  requires  a  larger  amount  of  feed  for  a 
pound  of  increase  than  for  growth.  This  fact,  together  with  the  neces- 
sary liberal  feeding  of  grain  to  put  on  this  fat,  makes  the  gains 
progressively  more  costly  as  the  feeding  period  advances. 

Weights. — The  steers  were  weighed  individually  three  days  in 
succession  at  the  beginning  of  the  experiment  and  the  average  of 
these  three  weights  was  taken  as  the  initial  weight.  They  were  weighed 
at  thirty-day  intervals  throughout  the  experiment,  and  an  average 
of  the  weights  on  three  successive  days  at  the  close  of  the  experiment 
was  taken  as  the  final  weight. 

The  detailed  results  are  given  in  table  3. 

TABLE  3 

Eesults  of  a  210-Day  Feeding  Experiment  in  Fattening  Baby  Beef 

(All  figures  are  in  pounds  except  where  otherwise  designated.) 


Lot  No 

Number  in  lot 

Average  initial  weight. 
Average  final  weight.... 

Average  daily  gain 

Total  gain  per  head 


Average  daily  ration 

Corn  silage 

Alfalfa  hay 

Rolled  barley 

Coconut  meal 

Raisin  pulp 

Cottonseed  meal 

Cold-pressed  cottonseed 
cake 


Feed  for  100-lb.  gain 

Corn  silage 

Alfalfa  hay 

Rolled  barley 

Coconut  meal 

Raisin  pulp 

Cottonseed  meal 

Cold-pressed  cottonseed 
cake 


1 

12 
416.87 
875.62 

2.18 
458.75 


11.85 
2.99 
8.73 


99 


542.58 
136.88 
399.61 


45.12 


2 
12 
420.83 
852.23 

2.05 
431.40 


12.62 
2.99 
4.14 
4.04 


614.36 
145.89 
201.41 
196.50 


3 

12 

415.62 

820.41 

1.93 

404.79 


13.51 

3.00 

*1. 11 


7.71 
1.94 


700.75 
155.47 

*57.74 


399.79 
100.66 


4 
12 
416.39 

784.72 

1.75 

368.33 


27.14 
2.99 


4.34 


1547.20 
170.22 


247.66 


5 
12 
412.98 
855.28 

2.11 
442.30 


7.28 
9.55 


345.50 
453.68 


6 
12 
414.03 
866.66 

2.15 
452.63 


6.86 
9.07 


318.09 
420.69 


45.47 


Barley  was  substituted  for  raisin  pulp  during  the  last  30  days. 


UNIVERSITY  OF   CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT    STATION 


DISCUSSION  OF   RESULTS 

Steers  in  lot  1,  receiving  a  ration  of  corn  silage,  alfalfa  hay,  rolled 
barley,  and  one  pound  of  cottonseed  meal,  were  smoothly  covered; 
eight  head  graded  "choice,"  and  the  remaining  four  graded  "good." 
The  difference  in  gain  between  lots  1  and  6  is  not  significant ;  in  fact, 
on  the  basis  of  the  cold-dressed  weights  of  the  carcasses,  the  steers  in 
lot  6  were  on  the  average  5.41  pounds  heavier  than  those  in  lot  1, 
indicating  that  the  actual  increase  in  weight  of  carcass  was  slightly 
greater  in  lot  6,  while  on  the  basis  of  the  average  of  the  three  final 
weights  at  the  end  of  the  experiment,  the  live  weight  of  lot  1  was 
8.96  pounds  more  than  that  of  lot  6.  The  difference  was  in  the  dress- 
ing percentage  (see  table  4).  Figures  1  and  2  show  the  lot  1  steers 
at  the  beginning  and  close  of  the  experiment.  These  steers  had  about 
the  degree  of  finish  to  command  the  highest  price  on  the  California 
markets. 

Lot  1  required  542.58  pounds  of  corn  silage,  136.88  pounds  of 
alfalfa  hay,  399.61  pounds  of  rolled  barley,  and  45.12  pounds  of 
cottonseed  meal  to  produce  100  pounds  of  gain. 

Lot  2  required  71.78  pounds  more  silage  and  9.01  pounds  more 
alfalfa  to  produce  100  pounds  of  gain  than  lot  1.  The  amount  of 
rolled  barley  required  to  produce  100  pounds  of  gain  in  lot  1  was 
practically  the  same  as  the  total  of  the  rolled  barley  and  coconut 
meal  required  by  lot  2,  but  in  addition  to  the  rolled  barley,  lot  1 
consumed  45.12  pounds  of  cottonseed  meal  for  100  pounds  of  gain. 
Therefore,  lot  2  required  46.82  pounds  less  concentrates  and  80.79 
pounds  more  roughage  than  lot  1  to  produce  100  pounds  of  gain. 
Ordinarily,  this  saving  of  concentrates  will  more  than  offset,  in  cost, 
the  increased  amount  of  roughage  required.  When  the  prices  of 
barley  and  coconut  meal  are  equal,  the  cost  of  100  pounds  of  gain 
will  be  about  the  same  when  barley  is  fed  in  a  balanced  ration,  as 
when*  coconut  meal  is  substituted,  pound  for  pound,  for  one-half  the 
barley.  The  average  daily  gain  in  lot  2  was  2.05  pounds,  compared 
with  2.18  pounds  in  lot  1,  and  the  finish  was  not  quite  so  high. 

The  coconut  meal  seemed  to  have  a  constipating  effect  rather  than 
a  laxative  one,  as  reported  by  other  investigators.  The  manure  was 
somewhat  dryer  in  this  lot  than  in  any  of  the  other  lots ;  there  was  no 
scouring  at  any  time.  One  animal  had  a  very  obstinate  case  of  intes- 
tinal obstruction  and  heavy  dosages  of  purgatives  were  required  to 
relieve  him.  Another  animal  had  a  mild  case  of  constipation.  These 
cases  cannot  be  definitely  attributed  to  the  coconut  meal,  however. 


BUL.  418]         RATIONS  FOR  FINISHING  RANGE  CALVES  AS  BABY  BEEVES  9 

The  fact  that  these  two  animals  were  sick  for  a  short  period  of  time 
caused  a  reduction  in  the  average  gains  of  this  lot.  The  gains  were 
erratic  throughout  the  feeding  period,  being  high  one  month  and 
rather  low  the  next. 


Fig.  1. — Lot  1  steers  at  the  beginning  at  the  210-day  feeding  period. 


Fig.  2. — Lot  1  steers  at  the  end  of  the  2 10 -day  feeding  period.     These  steers 
are  typical  baby  beeves. 

Coconut  meal  is  not  so  palatable  as  barley,  and  the  steers  in  lot  2 
would  not  consume  much  more  than  5  pounds  a  day  with  an  equal 
amount  of  barley.  Probably  better  results  could  be  secured  by  substi- 
tuting coconut  meal  for  less  than  one-half  the  barley,  although  this 
test  shows  that  it  may  be  substituted  for  this  amount  with  satisfactory 
results  when  the  price  of  the  coconut  meal  is  equal  to  or  less  than 
that  of  barley. 


10  UNIVERSITY  OF   CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT   STATION 

Lot  3,  receiving  raisin  pulp,  required  more  feed  to  produce  100 
pounds  of  gain  than  did  lot  1.  More  cottonseed  meal  too  was  required 
to  balance  the  ration,  as  raisin  pulp  is  low  in  digestible  protein.  The 
supply  of  raisin  pulp  ran  out  at  the  end  of  the  180th  day  of  the 
experiment. 

Lots  1  and  3  may  be  compared  directly  during  this  period.  Lot  1 
required  138.51  pounds  less  silage,  16.55  pounds  less  alfalfa  hay, 
62.62  pounds  less  barley  than  raisin  pulp,  and  52.10'  pounds  less  cot- 
tonseed meal  for  100  pounds  of  gain  than  did  lot  3.  The  value  of  the 
raisin  pulp  is,  therefore,  the  value  of  a  like  quantity  of  barley,  minus 
the  value  of  the  extra  amounts  of  the  feeds  required  to  produce 
100  pounds  of  gain  when  raisin  pulp  is  fed.  On  the  basis  of  the 
usual  relation  in  value  of  barley  and  roughage,  raisin  pulp  would 
have  a  value  approximately  two-thirds  that  of  barley  in  production 
of  gain.  The  difference  in  the  feeding  value  of  raisin  pulp  and  barley 
is  actually  greater  than  the  feed  for  a  pound  of  gain  indicates,"  as  the 
gains  were  slower  with  the  former.  The  finish  with  raisin  pulp  was 
not  so  high,  and  the  carcasses  of  the  steers  in  this  lot  as  a  whole  lacked 
the  covering  of  fat  over  the  back,  loin,  and  round,  as  compared  with 
the  lots  receiving  a  full  feed  of  barley.  On  the  basis  of  this  test,  and 
considering  the  fact  that,  because  of  a  lower  finish  the  steers  had  a 
lower  market  value,  the  value  of  raisin  pulp  is  slightly  less  than 
two-thirds  as  much  as  rolled  barley.  Raisin  pulp  used  in  this  trial 
contained  2.32  per  cent  digestible  protein,  29.45  per  cent  digestible 
carbohydrate,  and  6.19  per  cent  digestible  fat.  The  total  digestible 
nutrients  amount  to  45.69  per  cent,  as  compared  with  78.83  per  cent 
for  barley.  The  results  of  the  feeding  trial  are,  therefore,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  amount  of  digestible  nutrients  in  the  two  feeds. 

The  average  daily  gain  of  the  steers  in  lot  4,  which  were  fed  a 
limited  amount  of  cold-pressed  cottonseed  cake,  was  1.75  pounds,  as 
compared  with  2.18  pounds  for  lot  1,  which  was  full  fed.  The  gain 
in  lot  4  was  mostly  in  growth,  with  practically  no  fattening  until  the 
last  60  days,  when  the  cold-pressed  cake  was  full  fed.  The  average 
daily  gain  up  to  the  time  the  cold-pressed  cake  was  full  fed  was  1.60 
pounds.  During  the  last  60  days,  when  the  calves  were  fattening 
appreciably,  the  average  daily  gain  was  2.13  pounds.  The  carcasses 
of  these  steers  were  decidedly  lacking  in  finish  and  showed  that  the 
fattening  process  had  just  started.  Only  four  steers  in  this  lot  graded 
"good,"  and  the  remaining  eight  head  graded  "medium."  This 
corresponded  with  the  carcass  grades.  This  lot  consumed  a  large 
amount  of  roughage  and  a  comparatively  small  amount  of  concen- 


BUL.  418]         RATIONS  FOR  FINISHING  RANGE  CALVES  AS  BABY  BEEVES         11 

trated  feed,  but  the  gains  were  slower,  finish  was  lacking,  and  the 
amount  of  feed  to  produce  100  pounds  of  beef  was  high. 

The  steers  in  lot  4  improved  rapidly  in  condition  during  the  last 
60  days,  when  they  were  full  fed  cold-pressed  cake.  At  the  finish 
each  steer  was  consuming  13.5  pounds  daily  and  none  showed  ill 
effects.  This  lot  was  not  shipped  until  20  days  after  the  close  of  the 
experimental  period.  During  this  time  they  were  continued  on  the 
same  ration.  They  ate  the  heavy  allowance  of  cold-pressed  cake  for 
practically  80  days  and  were  thrifty  when  shipped.  When  a  heavy 
silage  ration  is  fed,  larger  quantities  of  cottonseed  meal  or  cake  can 
be  fed  over  a  longer  period  without  danger  of  poisoning  than  when 
fed  with  dry  roughage. 

Unless  the  price  of  concentrates  is  very  high,  as  compared  with 
the  price  of  roughages,  it  will  prove  more  profitable  to  full  feed  on 
grain.  This  lot  furnished  a  good  demonstration  of  the  fact  that  choice 
baby  beef  cannot  be  made  without  a  liberal  allowance  of  concentrated 
feed. 

The  steers  in  lot  1,  with  a  ration  of  rolled  barley,  cottonseed  meal, 
alfalfa  hay,  and  silage,  made  slightly  more  rapid  gains  than  lots  5 
and  6,  which  did  not  receive  silage.  The  finish  was  slightly  better 
in  lot  1.  Eight  animals  graded  ll choice"  in  this  lot,  as  compared 
with  four  steers  in  lot  5,  and  five  steers  in  lot  6.  The  carcasses  of  the 
steers  in  lot  1  graded  higher  on  the  average  than  did  lots  5  and  6, 
being  more  smoothly  covered  over  the  ribs  and  loin  and  carrying  less 
caul  and  kidney  fat  than  did  lot  6. 

Lot  1  required  21.43  pounds  less  concentrates  for  100  pounds  of 
gain  than  lot  6,  and  8.95  pounds  less  than  lot  5. 

On  the  basis  of  the  feed  for  100  pounds  gain  in  lots  1,  5,  and  6, 
approximately  2V2  to  3  pounds  of  silage  replaced  1  pound  of  alfalfa 
hay. 

At  the  University  Farm,  alfalfa  hay  yields  about  7  tons  to  the 
acre,  and  corn  silage,  under  similar  conditions,  yields  about  15  tons 
to  the  acre.  Since  the  average  yield  of  silage  is  only  slightly  more 
than  twice  the  yield  of  alfalfa  and  the  feeding  value  one-third  to 
two-fifths  as  much  when  both  are  fed  with  a  full  grain  ration,  the 
production  of  beef  per  acre  was  greater  from  alfalfa  than  from  a 
combination  of  alfalfa  and  silage. 

The  addition  of  one  pound  of  cottonseed  meal  to  a  ration  of  alfalfa 
hay  and  rolled  barley  increased  the  gains  and  finish  slightly.  The 
average  daily  gain  for  lot  5  was  2.11  pounds,  and  for  lot  6,  2.15  pounds. 
The  difference  in  gain  is  not  significant.  To  produce  100  pounds  of 
gain,  45.47  pounds  of  cottonseed  meal  replaced  32.99  pounds  of  rolled 


12  UNIVERSITY  OF   CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT    STATION 

barley  and  27.41  pounds  of  alfalfa  hay.  With  the  usual  difference 
in  the  price  of  cottonseed  meal  and  rolled  barley,  it  is  doubtful  if  the 
addition  of  cottonseed  meal  to  a  ration  of  alfalfa  hay  and  barley  will 
prove  profitable. 

The  steers  in  lots  5  and  6  were  more  difficult  to  keep  on  feed  during 
the  first  part  of  the  period  than  those  receiving  silage.  This  was 
especially  true  in  lot  5  which  did  not  receive  cottonseed  meal.  The 
rations  in  both  lots  appeared  to  be  too  laxative  for  optimum  gains, 
until  the  point  was  reached  where  the  total  consumption  of  barley  was 
more  than  that  of  alfalfa  hay.  The  difficulty  during  the  first  part  of 
the  period  was  undoubtedly  due  to  consuming  large  quantities  of 
bright  green  alfalfa  hay. 

The  amount  of  hay  required  to  produce  100  pounds  of  gain  in 
lots  5  and  6  is  the  amount  consumed  for  100  pounds  of  gain.  It  is 
also  very  nearly  the  amount  offered,  as  there  was  a  very  small  amount 
weighed  back.  The  total  weighed  back  during  the  210-day  period  in 
lot  5  was  385  pounds,  and  in  lot  6  it  was  686  pounds.  This  amounts 
to  about  1.8  pounds  daily,  weighed  back  from  12  animals  in  the  case 
of  lot  5,  and  about  3  pounds  daily  from  12  animals  in  the  case  of  lot  6. 
Approximately  one-fifth  of  the  total  hay  left  by  the  steers  was  refused 
in  each  case  during  the  last  three  weeks  of  the  experiment  when  the 
supply  of  hay  of  fine  quality  was  exhausted  and  a  coarser  hay  was 
fed  in  its  place.  The  latter  was  evidently  too  dry  when  stacked  as 
the  leaves  shattered  in  feeding.  This  incident  illustrates  the  great 
difference  both  in  feeding  value  and  in  saving  of  waste  made  possible 
by  feeding  hay  of  high  quality,  and  emphasizes  the  necessity,  from  the 
standpoint  of  economy  in  feeding,  of  curing  and  handling  alfalfa  hay 
properly. 

A  statistical  study  of  the  individual  gains  indicates  that  a  difference 
in  average  total  gain  of  about  45  pounds  between  any  two  lots  is 
required  for  odds  of  30  to  1  that  the  difference  is  significant.  On  this 
basis,  the  difference  in  the  average  gains  between  lots  1,  5,  and  6  has 
no  significance.  The  difference  between  the  average  gain  in  lot  4 
and  any  other  lot,  and  that  between  lot  1  and  lot  3  are  significant. 
The  significance  of  the  difference  between  lot  1  and  lot  2  is  question- 
able. 

The  steers  in  each  lot  were  graded  at  the  end  of  the  experimental 
period.  These  grades  are  shown  in  table  4.  The  difference  in  grade 
is  largely  a  difference  in  degree  of  finish,  as  all  lots  were  very  similar 
in  quality  and  conformation.  Therefore,  these  grades,  together  with 
the  average  daily  gains,  provide  a  good  index  of  the  difference  in 
condition  of  the  various  lots  at  the  end  of  the  experiment. 


BUL.  418]         RATIONS  FOR  FINISHING  RANGE  CALVES  AS  BABY  BEEVES         13 


TABLE  4 
The  Besults  of  the  Grading  of  Each  of  the  Lots 


Lot  No. 

Choice 

Good 

Medium 

1 

8 

4 

2 

5 

7 

3 

4 

6 

2 

4 

4 

8 

5 

4 

6 

2 

6 

5 

6 

1 

SHIPPING    AND    SLAUGHTER    DATA 

Three  shipments  of  two  lots  each  were  made  at  intervals  of  one 
week.  Each  lot  was  weighed  at  the  feed  lot  just  before  taking  to  the 
stock  yards  for  loading.  The  lots  were  separated  in  the  car  by  a 
panel  to  facilitate  obtaining  the  weight  off  the  cars  in  San  Francisco. 

The  time  on  the  cars  for  the  different  shipments  was  about  the 
same,  being  from  15  to  16  hours. 

TABLE  5 

Shrinkage  in  Transit  and  Dressing  Percentages  on  the  Basis  of  the 

Off-Car  Weights  in  San  Francisco,  1926 

(Figures  are  in  pounds  except  where  otherwise  designated.) 


Lot  No 

Date  of  shipment 

Weight  before  shipping 

Weight  off-car 

Per  cent  shrink 

Warm-dressed  weight 

Cold-dressed  weight 

Dressing  percentage  (warm) 
Dressing  percentage  (cold) ... 
Per  cent  shrink  in  cooler 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

May  14 

May  21 

May  28 

May  28 

May  21 

10550 

10475 

10070 

9690 

10600 

9930 

9670 

9245 

8896 

9700 

5.88 

7.69 

*8.20 

*8.20 

8.50 

6176 

6103 

5731 

5387 

6084 

6057 

5960 

5722 

5265 

5949 

62.19 

63.14 

61.99 

60.56 

62.72 

61.00 

61.63 

61.89 

59.18 

61.32 

1.93 

2.40 

.16 

2.30 

2.20 

6 
May  14 
10580 
9750 

7.85 

6289 

6122 

64.51 

62.79 

2.66 


*  Lots  3  and  4  became  mixed  in  the  car  and  the  same  shrinkage  in  transit  is  assumed  for  both  lots. 

The  shrinkage  in  transit  varied  greatly  in  the  different  lots.  The 
variation  probably  would  not  have  been  so  great,  had  all  lots  been 
shipped  at  one  time  and  the  shrinkage  figured  on  the  basis  of  the 
final  weights  of  the  experiment,  when  all  lots  were  probably  carrying 
nearly  the  same  fill.  Lots  1  and  4  were  shipped  together  in  the  same 
car,  however;  the  shrinkage  in  lot  1  was  5.88  per  cent,  and  in  lot  6 


14 


UNIVERSITY  OF   CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT   STATION 


7.85  per  cent.  The  steers  in  lot  6  evidently  had  a  greater  fill  in  the 
afternoon  just  before  loading,  as  they  out-weighed  lot  1  slightly,  a 
ranking  opposite  that  at  the  close  of  the  experiment. 

Lots  2  and  5  were  shipped  together  and,  as  in  the  case  of  lots  1 
and  6,  the  lot  receiving  silage  shrank  less  in  transit  than  that  receiving 
dry  hay.  This  is  believed  to  be  due  to  the  fact  that  the  steers  receiving 
silage  ate  all  their  feed  in  the  morning,  while  those  receiving  hay 
left  part  until  afternoon,  and  thus  had  a  heavier  fill  at  the  time  they 
were  weighed. 

TABLE  6 
Besults  of  a  Cutting  Test  Made  by  the  Washington  Market 


Cut 

*Average  steer 
per  cent 

Test  steer 
per  cent 

Brisket 

Chuck 

Crossrib 

Shin 

5.0 
\             26.0 

5.0 
9.0 
18.0 
23.0 
7.0 
4.0 

3.0 

7.72 

15.81 

5.15 

5.15 

Rib 

11.40 

Loin 

20.40 

Round 

22.79 

Plate 

Flank 

7.72 
1.65 

Cod  fat 

.37 

Fat  and  waste 

.37 

Kidney  and  suet 

1.47 

100.0 

100.00 

*  Morris  Beef  Chart,  Morris  Packing  Company,  Chicago,  Illinois. 

The  lowest  dressing  percentage  was  in  lot  4,  which  was  the  lot 
carrying  the  least  condition.  Dressing  percentage  varies  greatly, 
depending  upon  the  amount  of  shrinkage  in  shipping.  Thin  steers 
which  have  been  shipped  long  distances  and  are  practically  empty, 
may  dress  fairly  high  on  the  basis  of  the  off-car  weight.  However, 
some  packers  say  that  for  the  same  length  of  haul  as  that  of  experi- 
mental steers  it  takes  a  very  good  grass-fed  steer  to  dress  57  per  cent 
warm  weight.  The  difference  in  dressing  percentage  in  favor  of  the 
steers  in  this  experiment  is  one  of  the  factors  justifying  a  higher 
price  than  for  grass-fed  cattle.  The  fact  that  they  were  well  bred, 
of  good  type,  and  cut  out  a  higher  percentage  of  loin  and  other  high- 
priced  cuts  than  the  average  steer,  and  a  smaller  amount  of  cheap 
meat,  is  a  second  reason  which  justifies  a  premium.  The  third  reason 
is  that  the  combination  of  breeding  and  feeding  produced  an  excellent 


BUL.  418]         RATIONS  FOR  FINISHING  RANGE  CALVES  AS  BABY  BEEVES         15 

quality  of  beef.  This  is  the  most  important  factor,  as  it  is  the  one 
which  makes  it  possible  for  the  retailer  to  sell  the  meat  to  the  con- 
sumer at  a  premium.  A  cutting  test  of  a  steer,  which  was  considered 
to  be  fairly  representative  of  the  average  of  lots  1,  2,  5,  and  6,  was 
made  by  the  Washington  Market  in  Oakland.  The  results  as  com- 
pared with  an  average  steer  are  given  in  table  6. 

The  test  steer  dressed  out  a  higher  percentage  of  loin  and  rib, 
practically  the  same  amount  of  round,  and  less  fore-quarter  cuts  than 
the  average  steer. 

A  representative  of  the  Washington  Market  made  the  following 
statement  concerning  the  meat :  ' '  The  ribs  and  loins  are  thick  and  full, 
showing  a  large  eye  on  the  ribs  and  large  fillets  in  the  loins.  The  fat  is 
smoothly  distributed  on  the  outside  and  well  marbled  through  the 
meat.  When  cut,  the  beef  shows  a  light  red  color,  making  a  real 
picture  of  quality." 


AMOUNT  OF  MANURE  PRODUCED 

Manure  was  hauled  from  the  lots  four  times  during  the  210-day 
period.  Approximately  three  tons  of  bedding  were  used  in  each  lot 
during  this  time.  The  first  two  times  the  manure  was  hauled,  it  was 
not  weighed,  but  the  amount  was  estimated  from  the  number  of  loads 
hauled  from  each  lot,  and  from  the  average  weight  of  loads  hauled 
later. 

Samples  were  taken  from  the  various  lots  at  the  time  of  hauling, 
allowed  to  dry  to  air-dry  condition,  and  the  percentage  of  loss  in 
weight  computed.     Table  7  gives  the  data  for  each  lot: 


TABLE  7 

Manure  Data 

(Figures  are  in  tons  except  where  otherwise  designated.) 


Lot  No 

Total  manure  as  hauled 

Total  manure  (air-dry  basis) 

*Per  cent  moisture 

Total  manure  per  steer  as  hauled... 

Total  manure  per  steer    (air-dry 

basis) 


1 

35.26 

18.26 

48.20 

2.94 

1.52 


2 

32.89 

18.04 

45.20 

2.94 

1.50 


3 

39.42 

20.77 

47.30 

3.28 

1.73 


4 

37.81 

19.87 

47.50 

3.15 

1.65 


5 

32.50 

17.39 

46.50 

2.71 

1.45 


36.62 

18.92 

48.40 

3.05 

1.58 


*  The  percentage  of  moisture  as  given  in  the  table  represents  the  percentage  of  weight  lost  in  bring- 
ing the  manure  as  hauled  to  air-dry  condition.  The  air-dry  manure  probably  still  contained  from  10  to 
15  per  cent  moisture. 


16  UNIVERSITY  OF   CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT   STATION 

Lots  3  and  4,  which  received  bulkier  feeds,  than  the  other  lots, 
produced  the  greatest  tonnage  of  manure,  but  those  lots  receiving 
a  full  feed  of  concentrates  undoubtedly  produced  manure  which 
was  higher  in  fertilizing  value.  The  manure  from  lot  6,  receiving 
alfalfa  hay,  rolled  barley,  and  cottonseed  meal,  which  is  a  very  narrow 
ration,  probably  contained  the  highest  percentage  of  nitrogenous 
material.  No  great  significance  is  placed  upon  the  difference  in 
manure  production  between  the  various  lots.  The  figures  are  given 
to  provide  a  general  idea  of  the  quantity  of  manure  produced  in 
feeding  operations  of  this  kind. 


HOGS    FOLLOWING   THE   STEERS 

Two  pigs  were  placed  in  each  of  lots  1,  2,  5,  and  6  during  the 
second  month  of  the  experiment.  The  pigs  weighed  from  120  to  145 
pounds.  All  lost  weight  and  were  taken  out  at  the  end  of  two  weeks. 
The  average  daily  loss  in  weight  was  1.27  pounds.  It  was  evident 
that  with  calves  at  this  age  receiving  ground  barley,  there  was  not 
enough  waste  grain  to  justify  following  with  hogs. 

During  the  last  month  of  the  experiment,  hogs  weighing  from  35 
to  60  pounds  were  put  into  these  lots.  During  this  time,  the  pigs 
gained  an  average  of  0.38  pound  a  day.  From  this  experience,  it 
seems  that  one  pig  to  every  six  steers  of  this  age  will  not  secure 
enough  waste  feed  to  make  satisfactory  gains  when  rolled  barley  is 
fed.  It  does  show,  however,  that  there  is  some  waste  during  the  last 
part  of  the  finishing  period  and  that  a  few  hogs  should  be  used  to 
clean  up  this  waste.  If  gains  are  not  satisfactory  additional  grain 
should  be  given. 


FINANCIAL  ASPECTS  OF  FEEDING 

The  first  point  which  any  one  interested  in  cattle  feeding  wants 
to  know  is  whether  there  is  any  money  in  feeding,  and  if  so,  how 
much.  This  is  a  question  which  cannot  be  answered  definitely  because 
the  answer  is  different  for  every  cattleman  and  for  every  season. 
Moreover,  the  financial  results  of  feeding  operations  conducted  by  the 
experiment  station,  or  by  any  feeder,  in  a  particular  feeding  period 
form  no  criterion  of  what  may  be  expected  from  cattle  feeding  year 
after  year. 

The  information  which  is  most  useful  to  the  cattleman  is  the 
amount  of  the  various  feeds  necessary  to  produce  a  hundred  pounds 


BUL.  418]         RATIONS  FOR  FINISHING  RANGE  CALVES  AS  BABY  BEEVES         17 

of  gain,  the  daily  gain,  and  the  approximate  total  gain  necessary  to 
produce  a  desirable  finish.  With  this  information  at  hand,  the  cattle- 
man can  compute  feeding  costs,  and  with  a  reasonable  knowledge  of 
the  markets,  he  can  estimate  with  a  fair  degree  of  accuracy  what  he 
can  do  under  his  own  conditions. 

The  amount  of  feed  required  to  produce  100  pounds  of  gain,  shown 
in  table  2,  may  be  used  to  compute  the  cost  of  gain  when  similar 
rations  are  fed  to  calves.  In  order  to  illustrate  how  the  figures  in 
this  paper  may  be  used,  examples  are  given. 

Example  1. 

A  feeder  wishes  to  know  the  cost  of  gain  with  calves,  when  alfalfa 
hay  is  worth  12.00  a  ton  and  rolled  barley  is  worth  $25.00  a  ton. 

According  to  table  2,  lot  5,  345.5  pounds  of  alfalfa  hay  and  453.68 
pounds  of  rolled  barley  were  required  to  produce  100  pounds  of  gain. 

Alfalfa  hay  at  $12.00  a  ton  =  0.6  cents  a  pound 

Rolled  barley  at  $25.00  a  ton  =  1.25  cents  a  pound 

345.5  pounds  of  alfalfa  hay  at  0.6  cents  a  pound=  $2.07 

453.68  pounds  of  rolled  barley  at  1.25  cents  a  pound=  5.67 

Total  cost  of  feed  required  to  produce  100  pounds  of  gain $7.74 

Ordinarily  it  will  be  necessary  to  feed  calves  until  they  have 
doubled  their  original  weight  before  they  are  ready  for  market,  and 
this  fact  may  be  used  as  a  basis  of  arriving  at  the  total  feed  cost. 

In  the  case  of  lot  5,  the  total  gain  was  442  pounds. 
4.42  X  $7.74  (cost  of  100  pounds  of  gain)  =  $34.21. 

Such  items  as  the  interest  on  the  investment  and  labor  cost  should 
be  added  in  computing  the  total  cost  of  a  finished  steer.  These  can  be 
figured  by  the  feeder. 

If  the  total  feed  cost  and  the  labor  and  interest  charges  are  added 
to  the  initial  cost  of  the  feeder  calf,  and  this  total  divided  by  the  final 
weight,  the  necessary  selling  price  to  break  even  is  obtained. 

Example  2. 

Cost  of  412-pound  feeder  calf  at  $8.50  per  cwt.  =  $35. 02 

Cost  of  442  pounds  of  gain  =  34. 21 

Interest  on  $35.02  at  8  per  cent  for  7  months  =  1. 63 

*Labor  cost  at  $0.50  a  month  for  7  months  =  3.50 

Total  cost $74.36 

Final  weight  of  steer  =  854  pounds 

Necessary  selling  price  per  cwt.  to  break  even  (74.36-^854)  =$8.71 

Purchase  price  per  cwt.  =$8. 50 

Necessary  margin  =  $0.21 


The  labor  charge  is  computed  on  the  basis  of  one  man  at  $125.00  a  month  feeding  250  head. 


18  UNIVERSITY  OF   CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT   STATION 

The  cattleman  knows  approximately  the  price  at  which  feeder 
steers  can  be  obtained,  and  the  current  feed  prices  at  any  time.  By 
making  computations  as  illustrated,  and  by  studying  market  condi- 
tions, he  can  form  his  own  judgment  regarding  the  chances  for  profit 
from  feeding  operations. 


SUMMARY 

1.  The  steers  in  lot  1,  receiving  a  ration  of  silage,  alfalfa  hay, 
rolled  barley,  and  cottonseed  meal,  graded  highest  both  on  foot  and 
in  the  cooler. 

2.  On  the  basis  of  a  yield  of  15  tons  of  silage  to  the  acre  and  7  tons 
of  alfalfa  to  the  acre,  greater  returns  of  beef  per  acre  were  obtained 
when  alfalfa  hay  was  fed  with  a  full  grain  ration,  than  when  silage 
and  alfalfa  were  fed  with  a  full  grain  ration. 

3.  When  the  price  of  coconut  meal  is  equal  to  or  less  than  the 
price  of  barley,  it  can  be  used  to  replace,  pound  for  pound,  one-half 
the  barley  in  a  fattening  ration  for  baby  beeves. 

4.  Raisin  pulp  has  a  feeding  value  which  is  approximately  two- 
thirds  that  of  rolled  barley.  It  is  low  in  digestible  protein,  however, 
and  it  requires  a  larger  amount  of  protein  supplement  than  barley. 
A  longer  feeding  period  would  be  required  to  attain  the  same  degree 
of  finish  with  raisin  pulp  than  with  barley. 

5.  The  ration  of  corn  silage,  alfalfa  hay,  and  a  limited  amount 
of  cold-pressed  cottonseed  cake  did  not  produce  satisfactory  gains 
or  finish.  The  gains  were  satisfactory  during  the  last  60  days, 
when  cold-pressed  cake  was  full  fed.  The  limiting  factor  in  full 
feeding  cold-pressed  cake  to  calves  is  the  possible  danger  of  cottonseed 
poisoning. 

6.  The  addition  of  one  pound  of  cottonseed  meal  to  a  ration  of 
alfalfa  hay  and  rolled  barley  increased  the  gains  and  finish  slightly, 
but  not  sufficiently  to  be  profitable  with  the  usual  difference  in  price 
of  barley  and  cottonseed  meal. 

7.  The  warm-dressed  weights  varied  in  the  different  lots  from 
60.56  to  64.51  per  cent  of  the  off-car  weight. 

8.  The  shrinkage  in  the  cooler  varied  from  0.16  to  2.66  per  cent  of 
the  warm-dressed  weight,  averaging  a  little  less  than  2  per  cent.  The 
length  of  time  in  the  cooler  causes  variation  in  the  shrinkage.  Most 
of  the  carcasses  hung  in  the  cooler  from  5  to  10  days  before  the  chilled 
weights  were  taken. 


BUL.  418]         RATIONS  FOR  FINISHING  RANGE  CALVES  AS  BABY  BEEVES         19 

9.  The  carcasses  in  all  lots  carried  a  high  proportion  of  "prime" 
or  high-priced  cuts  and  a  minimum  of  cheap  meat.  This  was  due 
largely  to  the  type  and  quality  of  the  steers. 

10.  In  the  lots  which  were  full  fed  rolled  barley,  pigs  did  not 
secure  enough  feed  to  produce  satisfactory  gains  even  at  the  last  of 
the  feeding  period,  when  one  pig  was  allowed  for  every  six  steers. 

11.  The  initial  cost  of  cattle  is  an  important  factor  in  determining 
profit  from  cattle  feeding.  Rate  of  gains,  economy  of  gains,  and 
finish,  the  latter  influencing  to  a  large  degree  the  selling  price,  are 
also  important  factors. 

12.  The  financial  statement  is  of  transitory  value,  and  has  there- 
fore been  omitted,  while  the  amount  of  feed  required  for  100  pounds 
of  gain  is  a  constant  and  may  be  used  at  any  time  in  estimating  the 
cost  of  gain  at  current  feed  prices. 

Acknowledgment. — The  author  wishes  to  express  his  appreciation 
of  the  helpful  suggestions  of  Professor  Gordon  H.  True  in  planning 
this  experiment,  and  to  express  his  thanks  to  W.  E.  Schneider,  Assist- 
ant Marketing  Specialist,  U.  S.  D.  A.,  San  Francisco,  for  his  assistance 
in  grading  the  cattle  and  the  carcasses. 


13m-3,'27 


